Since we are in the midst of writers conference season, I continue to prepare myself for the hustle of back-to-back, 15-minute appointments with new authors who are overcome with excitement and passion for a particular topic. All the “p” words–from passion to purpose–consume the conversation.
The first question I’m going to ask is this: “How does this connect to the gospel?”
No matter what topic, genre, or buzzword the up-and-coming author in front of me is pitching, the answer to this question will determine whether I’m interested.
As Christians, anything we pitch for publishing should be centered around the gospel and its implications. Before pitching a Christian book on joy, weight or body issues, or another self-help-style project, ask yourself how the gospel impacts your area of interest.
Sitting across from an eager author, I listened while she forcefully blurted out, “I just want women to find JOY!”
“Where does joy come from?” I responded.
“What?” she asked.
I continued to inquire how she planned on defining joy, where it came from, or which passage of Scripture she was teaching through to share thoughts on joy. “Well … Philippians chapter 4. I guess.”
When I asked her if she had read the entire book of Philippians or what the overarching message of Philippians was, the bewildered and somewhat agitated look on her face gave me my answer. I tried simplifying my question. “How can we find joy?” Or, better yet, “What had to happen for us to experience joy?”
“Jesus?”
I could tell her heart was in the right place, and she certainly had evidence of a love for the Lord. But the disconnect in her answer and the uncertainty in her tone showed me she hadn’t taken the time to connect her passion for people to the transformational truth of Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Here’s what I’m saying.
The gospel is the most satisfying, freeing, and redemptive story in history. Every Scripture is either headed toward or directly resulted from Christ’s willingness to head to the cross in the place of broken sinners.
Are you writing about joy? Connect your topic to the joy only found in Jesus. Weight or body issues? Jesus himself is the source of our deepest satisfaction. Rest? Weariness? Hustle culture? Yes. Jesus’ death and resurrection speak to it all.
When you begin writing a Christian book, don’t forget that the center of this task requires you to proclaim the gospel and share with your readers how it impacts every aspect of their lives.
Adopting an Author (Not in a Legal Sense)
Jesus came so we’d have joy,
and so that joy would be full,
but didn’t mention that, oh, boy,
that joy really would not be dull,
’cause we have to buy into it,
and make the structure of our days
something into which it’d fit,
even when life went sideways,
and so people do think I’m odd
that cancer brought the best of time;
they think that I should rail at God,
when truth is, Heaven’s truly mine
since I turned around to face
my own fate, in God’s embrace.
I can’t find emojis cool enough
To indicate “here’s the right stuff!”
Thanks to our poet laureate
Who shares good things to meditate
And helps us see the Gospel’s powers
To lighten loads and brighten hours.
Karen, thank you for the lovely poem and affirmation!
The Bible is His Story, the story of Jesus — God’s big, beautiful love story.
Ah, the old “what is a Christian writer” question pops up again. While I appreciate this stand for Christian publishing houses, writers who are Christians sometimes publish elsewhere because our mission is not so direct. I am a conservative Christian and a writer, but my mission is accurate history in fiction and nonfiction. Naturally, my Christian mindset shows in my writer’s voice, but it is not strong in the plot. Any time I write about history, God inevitably appears. Enough is there for God to use as a “hook” when He pleases.
Thank you Lynn! I too write nonfiction memoir and history. I also write poetry. Your comment resonated with me because I feel there is tremendous importance in introducing the Christian world view into the secular arena. It’s good to know there are others with a similar vision.
Hi Megan:
If I haven’t greeted you before, welcome to the Laube Agency. Thank you for connecting the dots so nicely on your posting. You made some excellent points, especially since we need to connect them for unbelievers who are reading our work. I look forward to reading your future blogs!
I maintain an email file on my iPhone called “Best of the Best.” This post will be in it. Thank you.
I agree. As a Christian fiction writer (unpublished), I want to connect gospel truth to the lives of my characters, whether they are following it or fighting it.
Most excellent. I agree. I recently shared with a neighbor that my current WIP is about forgiveness available through Jesus. The woman said, “Oh, I thought it was a romance.” Yep. Turns out there is nothing more romantic than the love of people who embrace the forgiveness of Jesus Christ!
Excellent focus for our work as Christian writers! Thanks, Megan. We can’t hear this truth enough.
Thank you for this critical reminder!
Well said, Amen!
Amen, Megan. Amen!
And congratulations, Megan, on your new position!! Whoop whoop…
💜-leighxoxo
Thank you. What else do we have but Him to share in our broken world? Writing so He is revealed is the essence of what we are to share.
Amen and Amen! Thank you, Megan, for stating the obvious in such a powerful way. Today so many Christians are deceived into thinking they have a Biblical worldview when they do not. We must keep ourselves continually immersed in the Word in order to avoid deception.
Thank you for this, Meghan. With all of the excellent training and advice available for Christian authors who want to sell books, it’s so important to keep the Gospel central, at the heart of all we do. Though I’d like to think such reminders aren’t necessary for me, I need them every day.
Amen! We Christian writers are the only writers who can bring the gospel message to readers. Thanks for the reminder that we must keep that in focus.